(D3, ME) Ex-Hida by Yasuki Seiryo

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Raizo glanced at the smith.

"I'm not great expert on art, but this one worked for me. Maybe because they both had to do some growing."

"Yes, I am still skeptical that it should be called love but their bond does have strong roots by the end. I think I to enjoyed it." Soyokaze glanced down at the hairpin. "Why does your friend not come to the play with you Raizo-san?" The question was asked innocently, ignorant of the possible hurt it could cause.

[Shiba Raizo]

"Yes, I am still skeptical that it should be called love but their bond does have strong roots by the end. I think I to enjoyed it." Soyokaze glanced down at the hairpin. "Why does your friend not come to the play with you Raizo-san?" The question was asked innocently, ignorant of the possible hurt it could cause.

"Well, for starters, I didn't ask her to." He chuckled. "I'm trying not to be a clingy pest, Soyokaze-san, and I'll be seeing her later."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Well, for starters, I didn't ask her to." He chuckled. "I'm trying not to be a clingy pest, Soyokaze-san, and I'll be seeing her later."

Looking a bit embarrassed. "Forgive me Raizo-san I am...incredibly unknowledgeable about all of this." A shadow of his usual demeanor flashed across Soyokaze's face but was gone just as quick, his good mood would not die so easily though he kept his voice low. "Frankly this whole event has me confused. All this focus on love when we are told it is a lie and a weakness. It baffles me as to the matchmakers goal, is it a test?"

[Shiba Raizo]

Looking a bit embarrassed. "Forgive me Raizo-san I am...incredibly unknowledgeable about all of this." A shadow of his usual demeanor flashed across Soyokaze's face but was gone just as quick, his good mood would not die so easily though he kept his voice low. "Frankly this whole event has me confused. All this focus on love when we are told it is a lie and a weakness. It baffles me as to the matchmakers goal, is it a test?"

"Oh, you're not alone."

Raizo didn't bother keeping his voice down.

"The entire process confuses me, but I'm starting to figure it out. Case in point... my... friend and I have an understanding. We like one another. I find her beautiful, and so forth. All the things we're told will not be factored in for a marriage. So. Our meeting should be seen as irrelevant from a marriage perspective- except, Soyokaze-san, that everyone here has been invited. That means some prior research has been done, and no one here, in theory, is an inherently bad match, at least so far as the Shika are concerned. So maybe, having done a lot of the drudge work already- like the ancestry we all recited to Shika Pei Pei-sama yesterday- they're just making some finishing research notes while also letting us indicate who it is we happen to like so that they can arrange matches that are not merely advantageous in some way, but also harmonious."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Oh, you're not alone."

Raizo didn't bother keeping his voice down.

"The entire process confuses me, but I'm starting to figure it out. Case in point... my... friend and I have an understanding. We like one another. I find her beautiful, and so forth. All the things we're told will not be factored in for a marriage. So. Our meeting should be seen as irrelevant from a marriage perspective- except, Soyokaze-san, that everyone here has been invited. That means some prior research has been done, and no one here, in theory, is an inherently bad match, at least so far as the Shika are concerned. So maybe, having done a lot of the drudge work already- like the ancestry we all recited to Shika Pei Pei-sama yesterday- they're just making some finishing research notes while also letting us indicate who it is we happen to like so that they can arrange matches that are not merely advantageous in some way, but also harmonious."

Raizo's words struck Soyokaze like a backhand from Fukurokujin and suddenly things started to make sense. "Of course." ...you idiot "Raizo-san you are wiser than you know, you words ring truer than steel. They wouldn't bring us all here if they didn't think we could at least get along, someone here must be a suitable match for me otherwise they wouldn't have invited me in the first place. It's not the people here I should be worried about it's the unknown masses that AREN'T here that should concern me. I need to work harder at meeting people here or I risk not getting to know the one they would pair me with. It isn't about "love" it's about softening the rigidness of duty."

[Shiba Raizo]

Raizo's words struck Soyokaze like a backhand from Fukurokujin and suddenly things started to make sense. "Of course." ...you idiot "Raizo-san you are wiser than you know, you words ring truer than steel. They wouldn't bring us all here if they didn't think we could at least get along, someone here must be a suitable match for me otherwise they wouldn't have invited me in the first place. It's not the people here I should be worried about it's the unknown masses that AREN'T here that should concern me. I need to work harder at meeting people here or I risk not getting to know the one they would pair me with. It isn't about "love" it's about softening the rigidness of duty."

"Well. Besides which, meeting people is generally a good thing- besides my... friend, there have been plenty of people I've been happy to meet. There's a little Seppun running around who introduced me to mochi, there's a really nice Otter lady who's going to make some lucky soul very happy, there's an Asahina with a serious gift for, well... gifts who's proving a good man to know. There's an excruciatingly pretty Moth woman who I'm pretty sure is only interested in other women, but who's a lot of fun to talk to..."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Well. Besides which, meeting people is generally a good thing- besides my... friend, there have been plenty of people I've been happy to meet. There's a little Seppun running around who introduced me to mochi, there's a really nice Otter lady who's going to make some lucky soul very happy, there's an Asahina with a serious gift for, well... gifts who's proving a good man to know. There's an excruciatingly pretty Moth woman who I'm pretty sure is only interested in other women, but who's a lot of fun to talk to..."

"Ah yes, Seppun Unsei-sama, I met them this morning at the temple. I've not met many Imperials in my life but they are certainly the kindest, and the mochi was delicious." Soyokaze's sheepishness was returning bit by bit. There are some startlingly attractive people here, making this all the more intimidating.

[Shiba Raizo]

"Ah yes, Seppun Unsei-sama, I met them this morning at the temple. I've not met many Imperials in my life but they are certainly the kindest, and the mochi was delicious." Soyokaze's sheepishness was returning bit by bit. There are some startlingly attractive people here, making this all the more intimidating.

Raizo gave another one of his grins.

"Just keep standing next to me, Soyokaze-san, you'll look better by comparison. And your good manners will shine out by comparison as well. Anyone in particular you have an eye on? I know I asked before, but, well, a lot can happen in a day..."

[Usogawa Emiko]

Shortly before the play begins, a slightly dampened - being a bit broad of shoulder for standard umbrellas - Lion approaches the Otter.

"Usogawa-sama? I hoped to introduce myself before the play. This one is Matsu Ishioka, nikutai in the Lion embassy guard at Kyuden Hida. I am honored to meet you," he says, deep bass voice delivered in a polite but warm tone. He bows with great respect to the minor clanner, which perhaps already sets him apart from a typical Lion bushi, though the rock solid stoicism of his face is a very noticeable quality.

Emiko noticed the approach and bowed deeply.

"Good evening Matsu-sama! I hope you are well, a long way from Kyuden Hida also" she smiled "I am Usogawa Emiko. You were hoping to introduce yourself? That sounds like you know of me, I have spoken to quite a few of your kin though."

[Shika Nesshin]

As Inoshishi gives the Deer a mushroom, she listens and her mouth quirks into another of her easy grins.

“Ah, then I think I know the answer to my question before I ask! But since you’ve so kindly given permission, I’ll ask anyway! Are you a host or also seeking a partner in this miai? I imagine you’re seeking, given your answer! Do you have any words of advice, being as you grew up here? I know you only pledged to answer one, but I thought id ask anyway!”

The tone of her voice shows that it’s mostly asked in the spirit of general conversation, but she’ll also clearly take any advice you have.

Nesshin nods his head in thanks as he takes the mushroom, pops it in his mouth, chews--Not bad; kind of earthy, he thinks as he possibly subjects himself to some arcane unholiness--and swallows. He is about to answer when the curtains rise, and the play forestalls further talk.

After, though, he answers: "I'm participating in the miai. And I might like to get to know you a bit better, if you're willing."

How much better, we will see.